Comments

Regardless of the planning process involved with the takeover of the supermarket by Tesco it was never the less strongly opposed at a local and parliamentary level by MP Andrew George. Once again i suggest you do your research rather than accuse others of not knowing what they are talking about. And stick to the topic under debate, (ie) the traffic issues and loss of small business in the high street.

When the supermarket opened in St Ives it wasn't a Tesco at all, it was a Somerfield. When they couldn't make a go of it, through incompetence probably, they sold it to Tesco.
As it was already a supermarket no planning application or even change of use was required so there was obviously no plans to object to - strongly or otherwise.
You have no idea what you are talking about.

Wrong. Tiverton, Petersfield, Minehead and St Ives all opposed Tescos plans (the latter the strongest). Perhaps more research is needed before picking those places "off the top of your head". Opinions supported by bad information are just that, opinions. A worthwhile discussion at least deserves the evidence to support it.

Death knell for small towns? Just the opposite actually Briseham, more and more towns are realising the benefits of taking supermarkets back into town (and they certainly wouldn't be doing that if it was decimating the town centres would they?) Just look at these towns that all have a large in town supermarket and are doing remarkably well, with their small shops thriving, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Minhead, Ludlow, St Ives, Tiverton, Petersfield and these are just off the top of my head, there are hundreds of them.

I think you'll find there are few small businesses in town which are in direct competition with the internet - hairdressers, butchers, restaurants, grocers - i think not. Of course if you'd prefer to get your hair cut via the internet or buy a pint online i guess that's up to you.

Don't you guys get it? its precisely this type of corporate business that has sounded the death knell for small towns up and down the country by driving business to the outskirts. And now having done that they will remove what remains of Brixham's character and individuality by building in the center of town. Its this character that, like it or not, keeps the tourists coming back and as this is our only industry to speak of at the moment the project would be foolhardy. And any jobs the store creates will simply swallow up those of the small and often family run businesses who will then have to seek employment in the proposed store and expect to be paid around 92p above the minimum wage (Tesco's going rate) - some future for them. And then there are the traffic issues in an already congested area which exactly why the council rejected the scheme not for the reasons given above. I'd recommend researching what has happened in other towns where the likes of Tesco have been allowed to muscle in - it paints a grim picture believe me.

Oh, they'll have plenty more plans on their agenda to keep Brixham down. You have to remember why BRATS are in existence and why they object to this town centre regeneration of Brixham.
Firstly, we have the founder members of BRATS who consist of:
Leya Ostell who is executive director of Gaia House which is a Buddhist centre in Newton Abbot.
Rosemary Clarke and Phil Gregory who both stood as Labour candidates at the last local elections in Torbay and are both members of Global Action.
Sam Moss who is the leader of Torbay Green Party.
Julie Richardson who is Head of Economics (sounds impressive until you realise it is 'alternative economics') at Schumacher College in Dartington which offers courses such as 'Finding our Collective Voice', 'What's the Point of School', 'Harmony', 'Earth Pilgrim' and 'Collapsonomics'.
Sue Dawes who recently suggested building a 'carbon neutral' car park (whatever one of those is) in the town centre.
These people object because it doesn't fit in with their philosophical and ideological beliefs.
Of course, all of these people (none of whom, to my knowledge, come from Brixham by the way) are perfectly entitled to their beliefs but when it comes to the town centre development in Brixham decisions have to be based on what is good for Brixham not on one's philosophical and ideological beliefs.
Secondly, we have the supporters of BRATS (who are, in the main, the same people who supported Robbie Robinson) whose reasons for objecting are different from the founder members. Their reasons are that they are happy with Brixham as it is thanks very much and are vehemently opposed to any change or regeneration of the town (many of them are here to retire of course). These people also are perfectly entitled to their views and their desire to just enjoy their lives here, giving no thought or consideration to the future of Brixham or the next generation is understandable, but again, when it comes to the town centre development in Brixham decisions have to be based on what is good for Brixham not on one's own personal self-interest.

I am not surprised at the result of the meeting, BRATS have been shouting about the Tesco store for ages,I have spoken to loads of people who like me are. In favour of the new Tesco store who now feel its time to speak out,Brixham needs something and I feel the new store will not only bring much need housing and shops to the area,at the moment it's a mess. We should all be working together on this not being bullied by BRATS,lets hope it gets sorted soon. I feel Brixham is such a lovely place and this in fighting is doing it no good. Wonder what's next on BRATS agender??